If you’ve seen the national headlines lately, you might be confused about what’s actually happening in the housing market. Just in the last week, I’ve seen headlines that say sales are sluggish and there’s a shortage of inventory, while others suggest big changes are coming.
Here’s the good news: Houston is doing just fine.
As a Realtor and chair of the Houston Association of REALTORS®, I spend a lot of time looking at the data — but I also spend a lot of time talking with buyers, sellers, renters, fellow agents and industry leaders. And what I’m seeing as 2026 gets underway is a Houston housing market that’s active, resilient and settling into a much healthier rhythm.
While some parts of the country are still lagging, Houston has returned to pre-pandemic housing conditions. In fact, more homes were sold last year than in 2019 — the last truly “normal” year before everything changed. Economists expect that steady growth to continue this year.
So when you hear talk of a sluggish market nationwide, just remember: real estate is local. We are in a good spot, especially as the market finally feels balanced.
Yes, buyers have more leverage than they’ve had in more than a decade. Inventory reached record levels in 2025 and remains robust, giving buyers more choices (and a little more breathing room) than we’ve seen in years. Home prices have largely leveled off and mortgage rates have eased compared to their recent peaks. All of that adds up to more purchasing power.
At the same time, sellers aren’t being left behind. More buyers are re-entering the market as rates come down, and demand remains solid. Some sellers are making modest price adjustments, but many homes are still receiving strong offers. This isn’t a market where one side “wins” and the other loses — it’s one where both buyers and sellers can succeed with the right strategy.
The data backs this up. According to the latest HAR housing report:
Home sales increased 3.8% in 2025, with 88,634 homes sold.
Days on market for single-family homes edged up slightly, from 59 to 64 days.
The median single-family home price held steady year-over-year at $335,000, a welcome pause after years of rapid growth.
The average price rose just 0.8%, to $425,535.
Months of inventory expanded to 4.5 months, up from 4.0 months in December 2024.
What all of this tells us is that the market is cooling in the best possible way — not slowing down, but smoothing out.
Affordability remains one of the biggest challenges nationwide as well as here in Houston. According to HAR, 39% of Houston-area households can afford to buy a home, which is slightly better than last year but still below the level we reached five years ago. That said, Houston continues to outperform the national average. Nationwide, only 34% of households could afford to buy a home in 2025, compared to 55% five years ago.
But there’s an important point many buyers don’t realize: Help is available. Nearly 90% of homes listed on HAR.com qualify for some form of down payment assistance. Buyers can easily see what programs they may be eligible for at har.com/downpayment, and that alone can be a game changer.
One of the most interesting trends we’re seeing is where people are buying. Some of the hottest areas for home sales continue to be in the suburbs, like Waller, Brookshire and Hockley, where homes are more affordable and new construction is readily available.
Communities that offer a combination of new homes at attainable price points are really standing out, especially for first-time buyers. For many, new construction in these areas has become the most cost-effective path to homeownership.
While I wish I had a crystal ball to show me the direction of the market, I feel optimistic about where Houston is headed. This is a market that has adjusted, adapted and emerged stronger. As always, my best advice is to stay informed, ask questions and always practice real estate with real respect.
Theresa Hill is 2026 chair of the Houston Association of REALTORS®.